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Sgt. Gordon L. Benson, POW November 26, 1944

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paddyoB26
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Sgt. Gordon L. Benson, POW November 26, 1944

Hello, my name is Patrick McKeon, Cherry Valley American Legion Post 443, Leicester, MA. I'm researching the service men from my home town who died or were POW during WW2. One of those men is Sgt. Gordon L. Benson, 31417427. He was shot down and taken POW on November 26, 1944. I do not know which Squadron he was in. The 445BG lost 5 aircraft that day. they are as follows.
MACR 10754, a/c 42-94940, 701BS
MACR 11214, a/c 42-50467, 701BS
MACR 11216, a/c 42-50729, 703BS
MACR 11217, a/c 42-50756, 703BS
MACR 11218, a/c 42-51549, 703BS
I would like to find out which aircraft he was on and get a list of the crew and their fates. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Patrick
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    Mike.Simpson
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    RE: Sgt. Gordon L. Benson, POW November 26, 1944 (permalink)
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     Patrick:
     
    Gordon L. Benson was the flight engineer on Lee McPartland's crew flying 42-50729 (MACR #11216) with the 703rd Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group.  The full crew and their status follows:
     
    McPartland, Lee E., 2nd Lt, O-823508, Pilot, KIA
    Hert, Carl J., 2nd Lt, O-887066, Co-Pilot, KIA
    Hanzook, Joseph J., 2nd Lt, O-256733, Navigator, POW
    Grotz, Walter O., T/Sgt, 37566220, Nose Turret/Togglier, POW
    Benson, Gordon L., Sgt, 3147427, Engineer/Top Turret Gunner, POW
    Dykstra, Donald B., S/Sgt, 32834490, Radio Operator, POW
    Sisley, Cletus A., S/Sgt, 36832348, Left Waist Gunner, POW
    Diamond, George E., Sgt, 38389621, Right Waist Gunner, POW
    Foster, William R., Sgt, 32756421, Tail Turret Gunner, POW
     
    Sorry I don't have info on current status of survivors.
     
    Mike

    Mike Simpson
    Webmaster & Unit Historian
    445th Bomb Group (Heavy)
    www.445bg.org
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    vic-513
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    RE: Sgt. Gordon L. Benson, POW November 26, 1944 (permalink)
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    Hi Patrick,

    Sgt Gordon L. Benson was the RW gunner on 42-50729. MACR 11216. This AC crashed at Hanover, Germany due to fighters.
    Crew list:
    2Lt Lee E. McPartland (P) KIA
    Lt Carl J. Hert (CP) KIA
    2Lt Joseph J. Hanzook (N) POW
    Sgt George E. Diamond (NT) POW
    T/Sgt Walter C. Grotz (TT) POW
    S/Sgt Donald D. Dykstra (RO) POW
    S/Sgt Cletus A. Sisley (LW) POW
    Sgt Gordon L. Benson (RW) POW
    Sgt William R. Foster (TG) POW

    Sorry for the duplication. Mike and I posted at the same time. I would take his list of crew positions as being more accurate. Just giving what my reference said. Take it with a grain of salt.

    Vic
    post edited by vic-513 -
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